Which Die Cutting and Embossing Machine Should I get

I was out shopping on Saturday and spotted some 8x8 embossing folders and thought "Ooh good I need some bigger folders than my 6x6" shop I popped one in my basket.

I got home all eager to start crafting and it is too big for my Big Shot, ahhh what do I do. I thought Christmas is nearly apon us I will drop some very unsubtle hints via email to hubby for one for Christmas but when I started looking round I don't know what to get. So my question my lovely crafting community what do you recommend?

My first thought was the Grand Calibre but whenever I see them on Create and Craft they are always talking about having to do things close to the edge or to turn the item round and run it through again to get the best coverage and it has kinda put me off. Also I have read that it won't take the chunkier dies.


 I was looking at the Joy Trouvaille from Creata which from the videos looks like it does a really good job but on the downsize might be a bit fragile.

Has anyone out there got one and if so what do you think? Does it handle most of the dies and embossing folders out?

The E-Bosser is more expensive but is it worth it, I would be lovely to have a lovely expensive machine but is it really worth it.

I am also quite interested in how people are getting on with the Jus-Cutz machine which claims to be the only machine you need but is £135, it would be great if it was so please let me know if you have managed to get your hands on one.

So please help me and let me know your experience with these machines it will make my Christmas so exciting. :-)

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Embossing and Felt Flowets

I I haven't really included Embossing in my cards but after playing today I think I will from now on.

I found a large pink felt flower in a discount bin in a local garden centre and and layering it with an embossed card immediately sprang to mind.

I really love the result, what do you think

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My first Card-io Stamp Card

I had bought a Cardio Stamps acrylic tube and some stamps at a Ross PaperCraft Show last year but felt that I didn't have the right accompanying stamps to use them, ie things to put the flowers in.

Anyway a couple of weeks ago, while watching Create and Craft they had a deal on with 45 stamps for £35, which included a set of stamping with vases and a watering can which I couldn't resist.

This morning I was mulling over what I could use to make a card for my daughter and son-in-law who are moving this weekend and I thought I would get them out for a play.

I am really pleased with my first attempt with them, it was so quick an easy I know them will become a go to when I want to make something pretty quick.

Cardio Stamping Card

 





 

 

It would be great if there where any tips about using Card-io Stamps that you have, please let us know.

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Create and Craft Club Members Gift - August

I don't usually get the members gifts but this Shabby Chic Paris Bookazine from Debbie Moore appealed to me.

As with the usual members gift all you pay is £2.99 for postage and I am over the moon with it.

The Bookazine is bursting with stunning cards ideas and 28 design sheets on really good quality soft sheen paper. There is also a CD enclosed with all the elements on so you can use them time and again.

There are some great card ideas for men's cards, which as I have mention on previous blogs I always find really hard.

So if you are looking for a great value craft goody head over to Create and Craft now.

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The Fire Alarm Technician

So I am chatting to the Service Technician who has come to my office today to service the Fire Alarm System, as his office has told me he was holiday last week I asked him if he went somewhere nice. No he says I am getting married in 3 weeks time so I was busy getting things organised.

So we start talking wedding prep, I was thinking a man who is helping plan his wedding this is great then he says I spent most of last week making all bits for the wedding, invitations, table settings and butterfly's for name tags for the tables.

He got his phone out and showed me the lovely Red and White butterfly themed invitations he had made with silver and red jewels, ribbon and die cuts and there were beautiful, he was a bit miffed one his mates came round and saw them being made took photo's and put them on facebook before he had chance to post them out.

He had made matching jewelled butterfly's which were individually named and would be placed on a wine glass on the tables and had planned out elaborate internally lit table centres.

We spent as much time talking about crafting as fire alarms, it made my day that you can find Paper Crafters in the most unexpected places.

Have you found Paper Crafters in unexpected places?

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Blog Candy GiveAway by Scrapbook Garden

I love the Scrapbook Garden Blog it has some stunning paper craft idea's and has inspired me to do a scrap book of my trip to Venice this year, I will post some pictures as soon as I have it done.

The blog also includes some great Blog Candy Give Away's as well.

Check out this months, its a lovely set of 6x6 Designer Paper Pad from the Lost & Found range (Madison Avenue) and has 24 sheets of double-sided designer cardstock paper - perfect for those female projects!  The equally fab Lace Borders are a lovely shade of pink to compliment the paper pad!

If you haven't check it out yet head over to The Scrapbook Garden Blog.

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Travel Themed Birthday Card - Le Pashe Travel Bug

I love my Le Pashe CD and have found that I have used it a lot, particularly for men's cards and turned to it again for a card for the birthday of a close friend of ours.

Initially I wanted something with a Geocaching theme as he spends quite a bit of time with his son Geocaching  but couldn't find anything suitable, typically I did after I made his card but isn't that always the way.

Anyway I had this Travel Decoupage sheet already printed out, I had used the other decoupage for a "You Passed" card for my son in law when he passed his driving test and knowing our friend loves travel and driving this fitted the bill perfectly.

When teamed with a vintage map themed paper and some simple matt and layering I thought is looked quite sophisticated.

If you haven't checked out the Le Pashe CDs I highly recommend them or you can download this double design sheet for £2.00

Le Pashe Double Decoupage - Travel Bug

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